SUSIE MALLETT

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Monday, 24 August 2009

Today's starter for ten

"Breakfast in Paris" June 2006, by Susie Mallett

A question at breakfast

I don't know about any of you but I am not used to deep and enquiring questions so soon after leaping out of bed. The questions only start really flowing into my thoughts when I am on the bike, cycling as fast as I can to work.

But when they do turn up, like they did today, it is wonderful.

Today before even a good morning I was greeted by my client with "I have a question: What do conductors need to know?"

This was followed shortly after with "No, I mean: what must they know?"

I was lost for words, again

What should I say? Should I list all the subjects that I had touched on in my training? Or rather should I list all the training I had done before I became a conductor. Or perhaps mention all the books that I have read and all people who I have spoken too. Does being a teacher help, or in the case of some conductors, does being a Mum or a Dad help?

Are any of these essential to being a conductor? Whatever they are, they are far too abstract to be a good answer for the person setting the question this morning.

I suggested that we should start a list of things that we think are essential qualities.

My client began his list with "A conductor must know how to be funny but also able to be strict". His quality number two was "A conductor must be able to paint"!

I started my list with "Conductors need to know how to be flexible and know patience, love and inspiration". (These I certainly needed today, in buckets).

We got a bit distracted for the rest of the day while I was dishing out the buckets-full of conductor essentials, from both my own list and my client's, but the paper and pencil will be on the table again tomorrow at breakfast, to be continued.

I will publish it later here.

What do we need to know?

How about hearing other conductor-client suggestions for the "what a conductor needs to know" list!

3 comments:

Agi
said...

Susie,hiWhat an interesting topic. I wish I had my 'green book' with me to look up, what it says. All I can remember that when I pulled 'the conductor' topic during CE verbal exam with Mrs Beck, it felt like describing a superhuman..:-)What I have learnt,that I need to know is how to be open, intuitive and accepting toward others and myself.To see and act according to my values, rather than learnt knowledge only.I have learnt that-there is no rule, only a guideline-there is no bad idea, only a bad attitude-there is no conductive equipment, only lack of resourcefulness-there is no laziness, only lack of motivation-there is no useless attempt, only a missed opportunity-there is no right or wrong, only learning experienceDoes anybody feel the same way?

I for one feel the same way. What you describe are most excellent pedagogic lessons for any pedagogue to have learned from practice..

I just wish that I had written this.

I will, very soon, and I will dearly wish to credit you with having derived and stated them in the form that you do.

So, like Susie, I ask: Do I know you? I think that perhaps I do.

Whoever you are, please don't cover yourself in semi-anonymity. Come out of the shadows so that I and others can offer you the credit that you deserve, not just for those principles themselves but for the humble yet so convincing way in which you put them.

CONTACT ME FOR CONDUCTIVE SERVICES IN GERMANY OR THE UK, OR OVER THE INTERNET

Conductive pedagogy and upbringing with children, teenagers and adults, consultations, lectures and presentations

I am now open to further bookings of all kinds over the coming months.

A small deposit will secure.

Public presentations on adult work a speciality!

CE OVER THE INTERNET NEW PROJECT

"Doing a Dina"

I am currently looking for families of young children anywhere in the world to take part in preliminary work to explore the possibilities of working conductively over the Internet through Skype, audio and/or webcam. This can be done in German, in English or in Hungarian, as required.

This is "exploratory work" of a kind not done before in Conductive Education, so fees at this point will be very reasonable indeed.

Interested families should contact me to discuss possibilities further, in the language of their choice and without obligation, at

If you don't already have a copy of Dina (and in my opinion every parent with a child under three with cerebral palsy should have read this) this is the only book to describe how to bring up a young child with cerebral palsy "conductively", you can get one by contacting me or the Library at the National Institute for Conductive Education:

TRANSLATE FROM HUNGARIAN

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About Me

I am Susie Mallett, conductor. I was born, raised and first educated in England (degree in fine arts in 1979, qualifications as a secondary-school art teacher and art therapist in 1983. From 1989 to 1993 I trained as a conductor at the Pető Institute in Budapest under Dr Mária Hári, since when I have lived and worked in Germany as a self-employed conductor.. I currently work with children in a conductive team in Nürnberg, and with adults in collaboration with therapists in adult rehabilitation. I particularly like to work with my stroke clients and with children and their families in their own homes. My conductive practice is in German and English.
I also speak Hungarian. My theoretical background relates closely to that of András Pető and Mária Hári. Uniquely amongst conductors I describe my work on the Internet. I am available to give public talks and private consultations.
Welcome to my site. I hope that you find much to interest you. You will also find some good things to see and listen to while you are here. Enjoy your visit and contact me if you think that I can help.
Susie Mallett, Conductor, BA Hons, PGCE, Dip ArtTherapy, DiplKondPed